The Day After Take Time To Cool Off, Counselor Advises

And because of the emotional devastation that may accompany the experience of getting fired, they often do not approach re-entering the job market in a rational way.

Linda Pasekoff Friedman, director of the Center for Career Decisions in Boca Raton, suggests the best course of action may be to cool off for a few days.

``The worst thing you can do is frenetically go out the next morning,`` she said.

Friedman, who works with people who have been fired, as well as those who are changing careers or re-entering the job market, said many people wrongly assume their employers were justified in firing them.

So Friedman advises clients to take some time off after getting fired. This can give them the opportunity to rebuild their confidence and gird themselves psychologically for the rigors of job hunting, she said.

It also gives people an opportunity to set long-term career goals for themselves.

For those who are financially unable to take time off, Friedman suggests a part-time job at night, which leaves days open to pursue permanent positions. This would be better than jumping into the first full-time job that comes along, Friedman said.

``In the long run, it will pay off tremendously,`` she said.

One common mistake people make is to focus on getting a job as quickly as possible without examining their long-term career goals, Friedman said.

``Don`t look at it like, `Where do I want to be tomorrow?` `` she said.

Once the job hunt gets started, Friedman suggests her clients make a list of everyone they know, and then get in touch with them all to tell them about their situation.

``Then you have more access to the hidden job market,`` Friedman said.

Studies have shown that only 10 to 15 percent of all jobs are filled via classified advertisements, Friedman said.

Even the most unlikely people can help, as one of her clients recently learned, Friedman said.

``She got an incredible contact through her hairdresser,`` she said.

Professionals such as hairdressers and dentists -- who come into contact with people from all walks of life -- can often help a job hunter develop leads, Friedman said.

A good resume also is a necessary tool in job hunting.

A number of books that give advice on writing resumes are available in libraries, and most people would do well to read them or have a professional work on their resumes, Friedman said.

But many people tend to undersell themselves in their resumes, Friedman cautioned.

``It`s a sales device. Most people look at it as an autobiography or a confessional,`` she said.